Focus on Family

The Little Lincolns Gettysburg Address Contest and Holiday Open House will be held on Nov. 30, at Chester County Community Foundation, 28 W. Market St., The Lincoln Building, West Chester.

The address will be held at 5:45 p.m. followed by a 6:30 Jingle Elf 5K Bell Run and 7 p.m. tree lighting ceremony.

The Holiday Parade and West Chester Old-Fashioned Christmas with the arrival of Santa begins at 7:15 p.m.

A complete schedule is available at the Chamber of Commerce of Greater West Chester, 119 N. High St. or call 610-696-8211 or visit www.chescocf.org.

Gingerbread house-makingin Berwyn

Easttown Library will host the “Make Your Own Gingerbread House program.”

Decorating sessions will be Dec. 4 and 5 from 4:15 to 5 p.m. Children under 5 can participate with parent or caregiver and those 5 and older may participate independently with a parent on the premises.

Registration (in-person only) will be held at the library, 720 First Ave., Berwyn. Cost is $10 per person, prepaid. Scholarships are available. Call 610-644-0138 or visit www.easttownlibrary.org.

Meistersingers Christmas Show

The Meistersingers Christmas Carol Service will take place at 7 p.m., Dec. 8, and 3:30 p.m., Dec. 9, in the Coatesville Area Senior High School auditorium, 1445 E. Lincoln Highway, Coatesville.

Tickets are $6, $4 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are color coded for each night and cannot be traded at the door, so reserve them for a specific performance night. They may be purchased from any member of the Meistersingers, at the door or may be reserved by calling Rita Tingle-Lewis at 610-383-3730, ext. 81559.

At 4 p.m., Dec. 8, the Meistersingers will be holding a reception in the building cafeteria, to meet and greet all former honor soloists (and a guest) from 1937 (graduation class of 1938) through 2011 (graduation class of 2012) to give the current Meistersingers an understanding of the pride and prestige associated with being a member of this elite group of singers.

To make a reservations, call Lewis at the phone number listed above no later than Dec. 3. Each alumni honor soloist will receive two complimentary tickets for Saturday’s Carol Service.

Mark Twain in personChester County Library in Exton will be celebrating the birthday of Mark Twain from 7 to 8 p.m., Nov. 29, in the library’s Struble Room.

Children of all ages are welcome to the library located at 330 E. Lancaster Ave. from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Dec. 5, as Santa reads holiday stories. The children can participates in festive crafts and enjoy holiday snacks.

The library will also have a Countdown to Christmas program from 4 to 5 p.m., Nov. 29, for those in kindergarten through fifth grade. The event includes stories, snacks and a holiday craft.

To register for either of these programs, call 610-269-2741.

Breakfast with Santa events• Radnor Fire Company Auxiliary will hold its annual Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 2, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Fire House, 121 S. Wayne Ave., Wayne, with pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, home fries, Texas toast, juice, milk and coffee. The festive event includes pictures with Santa. Cost is $8, children under 10, $4, under 2 free. Proceeds benefit the Radnor Fire Company. Call 610-316-7815.

• The Arc of Chester County will hold its third annual Breakfast with Santa at its 900 Lawrence Drive, West Chester location, from 8:30 to 11 a.m., Dec. 1. The fun-filled event includes a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a pancake breakfast, music and arts and crafts. Families can bring cameras to snap a photo of their child with Santa. The event is open to all children and their families. It is ideal for children 12 and under. Tickets are $20 per family pre-registered, or $25 the day of the event. Pre-register at www.arcofchestercounty.org/calendar.html, or call 610-696-8090, ext. 210.

• Breakfast with Santa, sponsored by West Chester Parks and Recreation, will be hosted by Chester County Historical Society, 225 N. High St., West Chester, on Dec. 1, with seatings at 8:30 and 10 a.m. (both hot and cold dishes), a visit with Santa and a present pack. Cost is $12, ages 2 and older. Pre-registration is necessary. Call 610-436-9010.

Festive 5K Run/Walkin Coatesville

Brandywine Health Foundation’s third annual 5K Run/1-Mile Fun Walk will be held in downtown Coatesville on Dec. 1, leaving from Scott Middle School, 800 Olive St.

Runners and walkers of all ages and fitness levels are encouraged to participate. To register, visit www.Festive5k.com or call Jill Whitcomb, director of special events, at 610-380-9080, ext. 103. Registration is open now, $20 in advance (before Nov. 28); $25 day of the race. Ages 18 and under all walkers can participate for free but registration is still required. Race day registration begins at 8 a.m. with races beginning at 9 a.m. Post-race activities include food, music and awards ceremony. The Christmas Parade starts at 10 a.m.

Proceeds benefit the Coatesville Youth Initiative, a program launched by the Brandywine Health Foundation in 2010. The Coatesville Youth Initiative fosters collaboration among community residents, youth, area businesses, nonprofit and county agencies, youth-serving organizations, Coatesville Area School District and other educational entities to reduce substance abuse, problem behaviors and related risk factors among youth and young adults.

‘Home for the Holidays’ with Bryn Mawr Mainliners

Bryn Mawr Mawr Mainliners will have a Christmas Concert on Dec. 1, with the theme, “Home for the Holidays,” at 2 and 7:30 p.m., at Great Valley High School, 225 N. Phoenixville Pike, Malvern.

The 40-member chorus is completing its 49th year as a Barbershop Chorus. Members principally are from Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties. Visit www.Mainliners.org to order tickets, or call Gary at 267-772-9550.

‘Lil’ Kickers Open House at United Sports

The Lil’ Kickers Winter Open House at United Sports and Training Center will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, Dec. 1.

Children 18 months to 7 years of age can participate in a free trial Lil’ Kickers soccer class. Lil’ Kickers is a youth development soccer program focusing on physical, social and emotional development of children. At the Open House, parents may also register for the winter session on this day. Everyone who registers receives a free T-shirt.

For more information, contact Mitch Bernstein at 610-466-7100 or mbernstein@unitedsports.net. United Sports is at 1426 Marshallton-Thorndale Road in West Bradford.